Cruise Lines Have Image Problems, Experts Say

The Cruise Ship industry is battling a public image problem. Between an on-board fire, passengers dying on a shore excursion, a lawsuit about a passenger disappearing onboard, and congressional hearings about on-board crime, one of South Florida´s signature businesses may face trouble in 2006.

The chairman and CEO of Miami-based Royal Caribbean Cruises says travel agents are concerned about the public´s image of the cruise industry.

Richard Fain says he´s been told that cruise officials need to do a better job of telling the public that cruises are safe, secure and environmentally friendly.

The cruise industry has been in the media spotlight regarding safety aboard ships, from the disappearance of a man aboard a Royal Caribbean vessel to a recent fire aboard a Princess Cruises liner.

Fain says media scrutiny comes in cycles, and that the industry is currently at the high point of a busy cycle.

Cruise executives are displeased over the negative publicity they say is unwarranted. They say that the recent incidents are the extreme exception rather than the norm.